Top Installers Thread
 

Perhaps this can be a sticky if we don't already have one...

if you've had a positive (or not so positive) experience with your top installer in your state please post the installer/shop you used here.

Also, please indicate which softop brand you selected and any other details you want to share (price paid for top and labor).


here's a pic, no I was not paid to post it.

http://www.gahh.com/images/Boxster-3...ltraMaxx_s.jpg



$440 (Haartz)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-Boxster-Convertible-Top-97-02-in-Black-Stayfast-Cloth-with-Glass-Window-/251271833204?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &fits=Model%3ABoxster&hash=item3a80f7e674&vxp=m tr

This one is $500 (Robbins)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-04-Porsche-Boxster-Convertible-Top-Heated-Glass-Robbins-XT-Black-Twill-/121299632999?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &fits=Model%3ABoxster&hash=item1c3e058367&vxp=m tr

This one is $600.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-986-Boxster-Convertible-Top-Black-OEM-German-A5-Glass-Window-1997-2002-/160859992125?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &fits=Model%3ABoxster&hash=item257400b03d&vxp=m tr

Jim at the Top Shop in Austin.

He's sewn in at least 4 windows in my Boxsters over the years.

Mike

I purchased an Auto Tops Direct, glass window top and had it installed by Collins Custom Interiors of Colleyville, TX. Very happy with the top and installation.

Complete Custom Upholstery, 4105 Colleyville Blvd Colleyville, TX -Collins Custom Interiors

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1405459698.jpg

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1405459736.jpg

I got the second from the top of the line top from autotopsdirect and had it installed by Upholstry Unlimited in Depew NY. The top is fantastic! I love having the glass and not having to "chop" anymore.

The install went well. They got replaced it for 600 in labor. There is an area by the passengers side that isnt as tight to the frame but appears to be leveling out as the top breaks in.

I also looked at tops by the same brand on eBay. It's about $20-50 cheaper to buy the. From the retailers site. Some of the eBay ones look cheaper until you realize that you are paying a bit more for less options.

$600 labor is a deal compared to what I'm being quoted here in my area. The first shop I called wanted $800 labor cost for standard vinyl window and $900 labor cost for glass window. This is for a new Conv top installation. They did offer to sew in a new Vinyl window for $900 labor and $100 for parts. I thought it was rediculous.

The cheapest shop I found was $750 installation for a new top and $550 just to sew in a new window.

replacing the window is really not worth it. If the stitching is not sealed, you'll get drip leak from the new stitch holes in the new window. I found this out the hardway.
I drove an hour plus to have the window replaced and on the drive back it started to rain and I could already see the droplets forming all along the bottom stitching. You could hit that with silicone but the other issue is that after 10+ years the canvas has stretched and the plastic has to layed out precise to fit into that contour otherwise you'll get an obvious and unsightly crease above and below the new plastic window.
With this much age you'll also need new seals once the canvas top is removed to re-install the new plastic window. They get loose and brittle after removal. After the new window was installed I noticed that the canvas began to rip along the bottom edge near the clamshell.

Save your $500-$600 towards a new top with glass.

Stan's Auto Top
Chatham, N.J.
862-222-4618

$600 was actually a deal here too. Especially since my plastic window split the first week of June and most of the installers in this area already had their calendars into July.

I literally couldn't find a single person willing to replace the plastic. Then I read about the problems with replaced windows and figured that was for the best. Prices that I was quoted ranged all the way up to $950 for the install.

On top of that, only a couple of shops were willing to let me order my own top... because they also charged $1000-1500 for the new top. That's right, one quote for a top with a glass window was $2200 ($700 labor + $1,500 for the top)

^that's crazy, even if its NY. TheStone was able to have his done for about half that and he's in California where Porsche-related things get expensive for no good reason too.